Since last week, my betta fish has been dull and isn't eating much. What's going one .. will he be okay?
Water is probably getting cooler as the weather gets colder. They should be kept over 70F, and preferably between 75 and 80F. In cooler water they are less active, and may even stop eating, and drop dead.
Ian
They need a heater, no way out of it. Without one they water changes drastically throughout the day, sometimes 6 + degrees. That alone could stress a Betta. 65-70 degrees is a gap for a Betta. They are TROPICAL fish and need a stable temperature that wont let it change more than 3 degrees in a day which is what a heater offers (as long as you don't mess with it). They also need a filter. All fish do. That could be making him ill too. A Betta also needs 5 gallons. With a heater, filter and 5 + gallons they are very active. I'm sure it is also in a bowl ...
With proper conditions it will be active. It's body isn't functioning properly or digesting food properly as their diet is regulated with warmer (76-82 degrees) water.
Bettas need a warmer water temp than normal fish. Around 75 - 79 is the temp it needs to be at. partial water changes are done when you dont have enough time to change the water. he needs a full tank change. it is getting fin rot as we speak. change its water and it should be its perky self again. i dont have a filter on mine either and i change his water once every 3-4 weeks. please take this into consideration and i hope this helps you
What size tank is he in?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Does he have a filter?
Do you have a heater/what 's his water temperature?
How often do you perform partial water changes?
How often do you feed him/how much?
Please answer these questions to give us a better idea of what could be wrong.
~ EDIT ~
1. Bettas are tropical fish. That means their water should remain steady between 78F-82F. As it is now, such a low temperature will make a tropical fish lethargic, refuse food, and sickly.
2. One water change since you bought him?! You need to understand that your fish is producing waste. That waste can't be broken down without a filter. So it's been building up and poisoning the fish.
Without a filter you should do a partial water change daily. With a filter changing out about 25% of the water each week is acceptable.
3. A single betta should have about a 5 gallon tank with a gentle filter and an aquarium heater.
They are relatively calm fish, you really only need a tiny tank and I don't know if a big tank would hurt him but it's not necesarry. They usually just sit around and do nothing, also he is probably just changing colors because they do that and when they are changing colors, they get pretty ugly looking. After that however, he will look really nice.
